We Need Each Other
I played golf today with an old friend. Charlie served as a pastor for many years and then became the Director of Caraway Camp, our Baptist camp in Asheboro, North Carolina. He’s in his early 80s, but his golf game is better than ever. He shot a 78. My score will remain undisclosed!
On the drive back from the golf course, I got to thinking about how good it is to renew old relationships. Sherri and I both lost touch with a lot of old friends while serving in Korea. Twelve years is a long time. The good news is some of our very best friends were made in Seoul. Students, teachers, pastors, professors, factory workers, business people, lawyers, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines (saved the best for last!) Now we have friends from multiple nationalities, denominations, and backgrounds.
Sherri and I love our friends. We need our friends. They add so much to our lives and our walk with Christ. Of all the things God taught me while in Seoul, I think the greatest was how much we, as Christians need each other. In Seoul, we worshiped together as Baptists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Four Square Pentecostals (Oorah Angela!), and so many Christian traditions. Did we have differences? Yes! And I am so glad we did. I learned so much. Unlearned some things too.
Our lines are too thick. Our borders are too high and too wide. Right doctrine has replaced right relationships. Relationships based on a common bond through faith/trust/belief in Jesus Christ. That may be exactly why God has led us to High Point, North Carolina, known as the state’s international city.
What I’m looking forward to the most as we begin our ministry in this area known as the Triad is breaking down some borders and making a new, diverse group of friends to add to the ones I already have. I’m sure Sherri feels the same way.
We need each other.
In Christ,
Dan
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